Howdy, I know the topic of saving money in the kitchen came up this summer when I was in my Internet blackout. I love
grocery shopping, cooking and penny pinching so I thought I'd let you know some of the things I do and you can tell me what
you ladies do...

Proverbs 31:14-15 - "14 She is like the merchant ships,bringing her food from afar.15 She gets up
while it is still dark;she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. "

I am trying to present
this in a logical manner so I will start with the basics...The Grocery List and I will try to post a new subject every 3-5
days.

What I try to do is avoid walking around the store and picking up what I 'think' I need. Take a look in your
pantry do you have any food that's been in there for more than a 4 weeks, that you have no plans of using? At the end of each
3-4 week cycle at my home consumables (excluding bulk purchase items like meat) are pretty much gone.

So when I go
to the grocery store I take a list!I use a customized computer check off list (which I'm happy to e-mail to anyone who e-mails
me to request it!)it stays on my fridge and as I realize we are out of something we check it off.
Everyone who can read is responsible for checking things off on the list as it gets used up (my husband loves this...because
I now I rarely forget items).

On that note if you have a comprehensive list you will go to the store less and this
will also save you money and precious time. I have found it is very difficult to spend money at the store if I am at home.
:) I have also found that Wayne rarely has to go to the store to pick up an item or two...

I look at homemaking as
my job and grocery shopping as a skill for me develop. So when I go to the store with my bosses money I have a list on my
clip board, a pen, highlighter & calculator. I use the pen to cross of the things I have already purchased and I keep
a running total down the side of the page so I can make sure I am on budget. I highlight any item I do not get for what ever
reason (not enough money, cannot find etc....). That way I rememeber to put it on the next list I use the calculator to determine
the unit value of items, determine price with coupon quickly...... I have been asked several times when I am shopping at Wal-Mart
who I work for....McVay Industries (we make girl babies).

I do a big shop once every two weeks and pick up perishables
on the off week. I really try not to go to a grocery store more than once a week!

Here are some kinds of lists you
may want to use:• hand written list • computer generated check off list (http://kyle854.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/grocerylist.xls)•
4 square list – divided according to basic store locations such as frozen, fresh, canned and dairy pick up a sheet of
blank paper and fold it in quarters and write dairy, frozen, canned, fresh on front and cleaning, clothes etc… on the
back that is a four square list.Let me know if anyone uses another kind of list I can include on my website.

These
are the rules I follow when I grocery shop:• Do not enter the grocery store without a list. • Follow the
the list• Have a budget and stick to it• Do not go to the store hungry (I've walked through the door at
Wal-mart headed straight to the bananas grabbed one for everyone then started shopping)• Pack snacks for kids that
tend to get hungry (granola bars something you can chunk in the baby bag/purse) –hungry whiny kids are not a joy to
shop with!• Do not shop during the baby’s nap time

If you just enter the store with a list you will
save money as long as you stick strictly to that list (I will allow you to get Toilet Paper, but that's it!). Wandering aimlessly
around the store costs me money & time everytime!